Georgia DOT urges Georgians to remain alert as Daylight Saving Time begins
ATLANTA - On Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 2:00 a.m., time will spring forward one hour to mark the beginning of Daylight Saving Time. The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) urges all motorists and pedestrians to increase awareness and use caution on the roadways and within crosswalks. Motorists and pedestrians could be more at risk following the time change due to the dangers associated with drowsy driving. A University of North Carolina Health Southeast study found a correlation between a one-hour shift in time and a 6% increase in fatal crashes the following week due to sleep deprivation, reduced alertness, and darker mornings.
Shifting the clocks ahead one hour can disrupt a person's natural sleep cycle, making them feel more tired than usual in the days after the time change. Even a small loss of sleep can affect concentration, slow reaction times, and reduce a motorist's ability to quickly recognize and respond to potential hazards on the roadway. Fatigue can impair the ability to drive in similar ways as alcohol impairment, making driving drowsy a serious safety concern. At the same time, darker morning conditions mean commuters, students walking to school, runners, and cyclists may be traveling during low-light hours when visibility is reduced. These combined factors - sleep disruption, reduced alertness, and darker mornings - can increase the risk of crashes involving both motorists and pedestrians, especially during busy morning travel periods.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, drivers struck and killed 7,148 people in the United States in 2024, while nearly 75% of those deaths occurred at night or in low-light hours, highlighting the dangers associated with decreased visibility.
In Georgia, traffic-related deaths have continued to rise over the past 10 years by nearly 40 percent, with spikes occurring in the spring and fall when the time change occurs. Specific data to Georgia shows:
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Over a 50% increase in pedestrian deaths over the past 10 years.
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Between 2007 - 2024, 3,943 pedestrians were killed while walking in Georgia.
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80% of those occurring outside a crosswalk.
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Between 2014 - 2023, 44% of pedestrian fatalities were a result of a confirmed or suspected distracted driver.
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9 out of 10 pedestrians struck by a vehicle going 40 mph or faster will die.
Safety is a shared responsibility between motorists and pedestrians. Georgia DOT advises motorists and pedestrians to practice these safety tips.
Motorists:
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Slow down and remove all distractions, such as using your cell phone, especially in intersections.
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Use extra caution driving in low-light hours.
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Travel with someone if possible to increase your alertness.
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Take a nap if you're tired. Even a 20-minute nap has proven to greatly increase your alertness.
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Keep in mind pedestrians wearing headphones or hats may not hear your vehicle approaching.
Pedestrians:
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Wear bright clothing to stay visible and always use crosswalks.
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Walk on sidewalks whenever possible. Nearly two-thirds of fatalities occurred in locations without a sidewalk.
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Carry a flashlight or attach reflective materials - like fluorescent tape - to clothing, backpacks, purses, and briefcases. These materials will reflect light from headlights back to the driver, increasing your visibility to motorists.
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Avoid jaywalking and crossing between parked vehicles.
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When crossing the street, look left-right-left for vehicles.
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Don't assume a motorist sees you just because you see them. Don't cross the street if a vehicle is approaching.
Georgia DOT is committed to providing a safe and reliable transportation network for the state and has many resources available for the public to learn how to stay safe. They include the Drive Alert, Arrive Alive initiative, the See & Be Seen campaign, Keep Georgia Safe, and 511GA where motorists can get real time traffic and weather updates, route planning and connect with Highway Emergency Response Operators (HERO) or Coordinated Highway Assistance Maintenance Program (CHAMP) for roadside assistance.
Georgia Department of Transportation plans, constructs and maintains Georgia's state and federal highways. We're involved in bridge, waterway, public transit, rail, general aviation, bike and pedestrian programs. And we help local governments maintain their roads. Georgia DOT and its nearly 4,000 employees are committed to delivering a transportation system focused on innovation, safety, sustainability, and mobility. The Department's vision is to boost Georgia's competitiveness through leadership in transportation.
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